Keto foods are out to prove that being on a diet doesn’t mean you’re restricted to green juices, bland chicken breasts, and blanched broccoli. Rather, you have every permission to indulge in cheese, bacon, and peanut butter and lose weight at the same time. Sound too good to be true? Not according to the ketogenic diet.
A survey of registered dieticians found that the keto diet is the most popular diet in the U.S. Devotees, including famous names such as Halle Berry and Gwyneth Paltrow, swear by the benefits of eating keto foods: fat loss, diabetes management, and increased energy levels. But on the other hand, in a ranking of the best and worst diets by the U.S. News & World Report, the keto diet was ranked as one of the lowest out of 39 diets. Out of 5 stars, diet experts, nutritionists, and specialists in diabetes and heart diseases gave it a rating of 1.9.
But before we get into the pros and cons of eating keto foods, let’s understand what the keto diet is, how it works, and whether it’s worth a try.
What is Keto Diet?
The general idea behind this high-fat, low-carb diet is that eating more fat helps you burn fat quicker. Typically, keto foods, which are high in fats, should make up at least 70 to 80% of your total calorie intake, while the remaining 20% and 10% can be split between protein and carbs respectively. This means you can heartily devour full-fat versions of your favorite foods and include salmon, meat, eggs, butter, cheese, and nuts into your diet.
By eating high-fat foods and fewer carbs, your body will enter a stage of ketosis. When you’re in the ketogenic state, your body will use fat for energy instead of carbohydrates, which is believed to aid fat loss.
However, to enter this stage, you will have to limit your carb intake to around 20 to 40 grams, which calls for extreme restriction. For reference, two medium bananas have 54 grams of carbs. So, following the keto diet doesn’t just mean avoiding bread, rice, and potatoes. You also have to opt for non-starchy fruits and vegetables and be on the lookout for hidden carbs that are present in foods, such as condiments, yogurt, milk, and balsamic oil.
Along the same vein, you’ll also need to moderate your protein intake. Depending on your body weight, consuming around 65 to 100 grams of protein can help you enter ketosis. Exceeding that amount could lower the ketones in the blood and slow down the ketosis process.
What to Eat on a Keto Diet?
Here are some keto foods you can have while you’re following the diet:
- Fish
- Low-starch vegetables, such as broccoli, bell peppers, and spinach
- Avocado
- Meat and poultry
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Healthy oils
- Fruits that are low in carbs, such as berries
- Coffee and tea without sugar
What are the Benefits of a Keto Diet?
Your metabolism starts to work differently when you eat keto foods, which means you’re likely to notice several benefits almost immediately. Here are a few of them:
Weight Loss
One of the main reasons why keto foods and the diet itself became so popular is because it helps you lose weight. Since your carb intake is limited, you’re likely to notice quick results, especially in the first few weeks. There’s even some evidence to suggest that when you enter a state of ketosis, your appetite reduces and you have fewer cravings.
But as with any diet, it’s important to note that your calorie intake factors into how much weight you lose. Regardless of whether you’re following the paleo, vegan, or keto diets, weight loss is unlikely if you’re eating upwards of 3,000 calories a day.
Since keto foods are high in fat, they’re also higher in calories. For instance, one avocado weighing 200 grams, which is a healthy source of fat, clocks in at almost 300 calories. By contrast, 200 grams of broccoli is only 68 calories. For weight management or to see results, you will need to be in a calorie deficit. However, to ensure you see sustainable results and don’t undereat, consider consulting a nutritionist for professional advice before you start any new diet.
More Energy
You know that feeling after every Thanksgiving dinner when you’ve eaten your weight in mac and cheese, mashed potato, turkey, and pumpkin pie? You’re stuffed, but your energy levels also take a nosedive. The same thing happens after you eat any carb-heavy meal, whether that’s a bowl of fettuccine alfredo or even a healthy rice bowl with salmon. But that’s not the case with the keto diet.
Your brain, which is almost 60% fat, relies on fatty acids to perform the necessary functions. When you start incorporating keto foods that have fatty acids, such as salmon or avocados, your brain is able to burn ketones, which may improve brain function and give you the boost of energy you need for day-to-day activities.
Reduced Inflammation
The main reason why keto foods have anti-inflammatory properties is that the body utilizes fat for energy instead of sugar, which is inflammatory.
Excess sugar in the body can spike insulin levels, especially if your diet includes foods with added sugar or refined carbohydrates. One of the main benefits of a keto diet is that it’s also low in sugar, which can help you reduce inflammation and boost metabolism.
Are There Any Risks Associated with the Diet?
One of the main criticisms of eating keto foods is that it’s not sustainable in the long term. You might see quick results because of the drastic diet change, but eventually, you will hit a plateau and your progress may slow down.
What’s worse is that if you quit keto and jump right back into gorging on carbs, you might gain some weight back. However, there are also other risks associated with the diet. These include:
- Low blood sugar: If you take a look at any diet plan, you’ll notice that carbs are the greatest enemy. However, maintaining a balanced diet that includes all food groups is essential because carbohydrates help control blood sugar levels. For some people, especially those with type 1 diabetes, the lack of carbs could lead to hypoglycemia, which is a drop in blood sugar. Low blood sugar can cause dizziness, fatigue, confusion, and shaking, and if left untreated, could have severe health consequences.
- Increased risk of heart problems: Keto foods should primarily comprise heart-healthy, unsaturated fats, such as salmon, nuts, and avocados. But many people take the keto diet as permission for overindulging in bacon, cured meats, cheese, and butter, all of which are high in saturated fats. Those who follow a diet like this are at higher risk of developing heart problems. To try the diet safely, it’s important to incorporate plant-based protein sources into your keto diet meal plan whenever you can.
- Keto flu: Those who start the keto diet often report experiencing flu-like symptoms in their first week, which is a result of suddenly depriving themselves of carbs. The decrease in carbs can lead to a drop in energy levels and cause headaches, fatigue, nausea, and insomnia. Though the effects of the keto flu are unpleasant, most people find that it subsides after a few days.
Should You Try the Keto Diet?
Following a keto diet can be tough, especially if you’re starting it without any guidance. Though it has some benefits, the bottom line is that you might only experience them if you eat the right keto foods. Another thing to keep in mind is that by drastically reducing your carb and protein intake, you might be depriving yourself of some essential nutrients that your body needs to function at its optimal level.
That said, if you have type 2 diabetes, this diet may help you manage it because reducing carb intake is known to improve your blood sugar levels. If you still want to try the keto diet, be sure to eat keto foods that are low in saturated fats, such as olive oil, avocados, poultry, and seafood.
What is the Best Diet for a Healthy Lifestyle?
According to the U.S. News and World Report ranking, the best and healthiest diet is the Mediterranean diet.
Not only can it encourage weight loss, improve heart health, and manage diabetes, but it’s also not a restrictive diet, which means it can be more sustainable in the long run. Some foods you can eat on the diet include whole-wheat pasta, buckwheat pancakes, almonds, grilled salmon, and Greek yogurt.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best way to take care of your health is by following a sustainable diet and getting sufficient rest every night.
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